Discussions

Just curious, did anyone actually get in and see the show today in Southport? How was it?  
 
I gave up after sitting in line from 11:45 to just after 2pm and still not being anywhere near the entrance. Pretty disappointed, but thankfully we had bought tickets yet.

from some of the reviews on Facebook, even the ones who managed to get were giving it one star ratings. Parking in mud, not enough vendors or portapotties.

Like another post we waited in line for a couple of hours, got in to park in the grass/field, walked along with others to what we all thought was an entrance to the actual event only to find we were to walk over another mile to a main gate to purchase a ticket! Completely fed up and left. Piss poor shit show!

Meant to say we hadn't bought tickets, not that we had.

Took us 2 and 1/2 hours to drive from junction of MB 1 and MB 240 to Southport. Once there, and again fields of mud and stuck vehicles, lineups for washrooms were an hour wait. Same for food trucks. Never catch me again at one of these. Organizers just were not prepared for the crowd or organized to handle it.

AnimalLover said "Like another post we waited in line for a couple of hours, got in to park in the grass/field, walked along with others to what we all thought was an entrance to the actual event only to find we were to walk over another mile to a main gate to purchase a ticket! Completely fed up and left. Piss poor shit show! "

You said grass field - it was more like a field of mud - many cars stuck - was more like a mud bog - can't imagine it when they start to leave

That''s why I am going to the Northern neighbours airshow at the Minot Air Force base now that they have it again. Free, organized, lots of parking and buses right to the viewing area....if it''s like the last time I went. Lots of static displays and lots of aerial displays. And a 400mph jet car....August 13,2016  
 
Edited by Terry9366, 2016-06-04 19:57:41

and wet field as a result was out organisers hands. We got in the line up around 9am and got parked around 10am. The food lineups were bad, we just ended up getting a drumstick from the ice cream truck. I was worried about getting stuck when I saw the conditions.  
 
Ya, it wasn't as nice of event as past years ground wise. The airshow itself I thought was good. Hopefully the organisers learned from this event and make the adjustments to make it better.

Arrived in portage at 12, waited another 2 hours to actually get to the airport itself. Muddy fields, people got stuck. I heard so many unhappy people talking....Wanting refunds.  
 
Bathroom line ups were ridiculous, 20 minutes in a line up to go pee. Hungry? Forget eating there. One lady said it took her 2 hours in line to get lunch. 2 hours!!! I am glad we finally got in there to see some shows but was the 2 hours worth $50? Nope.  
 
I really hope they have it organized better next time. They seemed to not be prepared for the amount of ppl that attended. The amount of ppl reminded me of going to country fest, but country fest is well organized and no shortage of facilities.  
 
I would go again, but they need to organize it better. Hopefully they don't lose out on ticket sales next time because of this flop.

it was planned by a U of M class. Looks like they failed on the execution.  
 
http://news.umanitoba.ca/todays-assignment-hold-an-airshow/#comment-1325306

Trevor B said "it was planned by a U of M class. Looks like they failed on the execution.     http://news.umanitoba.ca/todays-assignment-hold-an-airshow/#comment-1325306 "

You said it , total failure!

Anyone that missed the show, here are a few shots of the CF-18.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We are going to the "Northern Neighbors" air show at minot air Force Base, Aug 13  
http://www.minot.af.mil/communityrelations/openhouses&airshows/index.asp  
we went about 8-9 years ago and it was great.  
Easy access, lots of planes on the ground, stealths, B 52's etc.  
Even took in a tour of a missile simulator.  
Very well organized.

I was at the Portage Air Show. Got there around 9-930, so missed most of the lines. Heard from a few friends that came later that it took them longer to get from the highway to the site than it did to get from Brandon.  
 
I thought that it seemed like there was not a whole lot of "action" going on in the air. While you were waiting in line for an hour to use the washroom, or an hour or two for food, you couldn't see much happen from the concession area.  
 
Only "air" activities I saw was the limited Skyhawks, The CF 18, The Snowbirds, and a bit of the fly bys of the two WW 2 planes.  
 
Could't hear a word of what the announcer was saying.  
 
I was staying the night with friends in the area so we could go golfing at the airport the next day. Should have seen what was left of the parking areas!!!!

We left early expecting there to be a wait, and did wait in line to get in about an hour to 1.5 hours. But we parked our lawn chairs front and center when we got in. We watched the show for about an hour or so and then went to get lunch. Yes, the line was very long, we waited a total of about 3 hours to order and get our food, but given its an air show, we were able to see most of the action from the line up. Once we got our food we sat down just in time for the Hornet, which was UNREAL!! Yes, parking was a mess. Yes, the bathroom line ups and food line ups were much longer than they should have been. But this was their first air show since 2009 and I personally wasn''''t let down by these things. We just made the best of it and hopefully now that they know what to expect they''''ll be able to have more of these services. But the shows ran super smooth, the announcers were entertaining and great, and we definitely recommend people to go again and give it another shot. We really have nothing but great things to say about our experience  
 
Edited by CNicole, 2016-06-06 11:54:54

CNicole said "We left early expecting there to be a wait, and did wait in line to get in about an hour to 1.5 hours. But we parked our lawn chairs front and center when we got in. We watched the show for about an hour or so and then went to get lunch. Yes, the line was very long, we waited a total of about 3.5 hours to order and get our food, but given its an air show, we were able to see most of the action from the line up. Once we got our food we sat down just in time for the Hornet, which was UNREAL!! Yes, parking was a mess. Yes, the bathroom line ups and food line ups were much longer than they should have been. But this was their first air show since 2009 and I personally wasn't let down by these things. We just made the best of it and hopefully now that they know what to expect they'll be able to have more of these services. But the shows ran super smooth, the announcers were entertaining and great, and we definitely recommend people to go again and give it another shot. We really have nothing but great things to say about our experience "

Well, wtg! What most thought was a mess you found good in! We thought about going as we only live 40 minutes away, but decided not too and after reading and hearing about all the problems glad we didn't. So it's nice to read a positive review despite the problems and I am sure they will learn something from this! Thanks CNicole!

Not my cup of tea, these kinds of shows, but it sure sounds like it was a fail on all levels.  
 
That said, while it is important that the organizers hear the complaints so they can improve next time, people really need to be a lot more polite with their comments - especially since these people were all volunteers. Constructive criticism is important - roasting the group is not.  
 
And I cannot understand how anyone could even think of demanding a refund, given all profits were going to the Untied Way and Childrens hospital....how tacky.  
 
Hope this group is not dissuaded from trying this again.  
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/no-ticket-refunds-manitoba-air-show-1.3617595

Regardless of where the money was going I can totally understand why some would want a refund.